If you look at your property and quickly became discouraged because it looks like a jungle, take heart. Fall and winter are a great time to control invasive plants and get a jump on managing them for next year. Before we get too far into invasive species management, let’s define our terms. According to the USDA: An “invasive species” is defined as …

Have you ever noticed that many causes have a ‘poster child’ to appeal to the masses?  In environmentalism, this could be an animal such as a Blue Whale, Northern Spotted Owl, or Monarch Butterfly. While losing any one of these animals would be tragic, it is time to start looking beyond single species. It is time to learn about and …

Do any of the following describe your situation in the garden: You don’t mind doing yard work, but you aren’t sure how to manage your property. With a tight budget, you don’t know how you can execute on your great ideas. You want to improve your property over time, but you are not sure where to start. If any of …

Now that spring is here it seems like potted plants are everywhere. Grocery stores, big box stores, and produce stands all have plant displays front and center to entice you into buying. If you are like me and find these green gems difficult to resist, here are a few guidelines to ensure that you make wise purchases. Garden Centers vs …

Have you ever been to the Pennsylvania Farm Show? If not, you don’t know what you are missing. With free admission and $15 parking, it could be the best deal in the state!   So what is there to see and do at the Farm Show? With over 6,000 animals and over 10,000 exhibits it is difficult to decide! Below …

When asked if we install outdoor lighting, I always respond yes, with reservation. As an environmentally responsible landscape company, how do we justify adding services that require electricity, may damage the night-time ecology, and can even harm human health? The answer is with thoughtful lighting design, of course.  Problems with Nighttime Lighting Most people understand the term light pollution when …

Deer damage to trees is both heartbreaking, and expensive. Deer rub their antlers on trees in early fall and it’s important to protect your trees- whether they’re newly installed or as large as six inches in diameter! Why do bucks rub? Bucks go through a yearly cycle of growing antlers, loosing the antler’s velvet, and then shedding their antlers. As …

Go Philly! Did you know that the city of Philadelphia leads the nation in: Commuter Biking Per capita consumption of sweatshirts and sweatpants Life sciences research and development Stormwater management Pretty cool stuff! And although I certainly have opinions about the whole list, I can only speak intelligently about the last item, so let me explain a little about Philadelphia’s …

Every garden can benefit from a water feature. From still reflecting pools to vibrant fountains, water adds an important element to our outdoor spaces. Water also brings life to a garden, figuratively, as well as literally. So in deciding how we want to incorporate water into our spaces, let’s look at several considerations. Purpose Water can perform many functions in …

Whether you can’t wait until the first flurries fall, or you spend the winter dreaming of the warmer days of spring and summer, we should all know how best to manage snow on our own properties. In doing this, safety of course is the primary concern. But in addition to safety, there are a few other considerations, such as cost, …